RAILforum: Cspan Amtrak Head Spoke and my recent Sunset Limited Ride!

This is topic Cspan Amtrak Head Spoke and my recent Sunset Limited Ride! in forum Travel at RAILforum.

To visit this topic, use this URL:
http://www.railforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi/topic/1/133.html

Posted by yummykaz (Member # 475) on :

Today I was at home with my sick child and we watched the head of Amtrak speak on cspan . It was most interesting, but I was shouting out stuff to him !

The thing I was wanting him to say most( in reply to why we "need" Amtrak) was: SOME PEOPLE DON'T OR CAN'T FLY!

To compare the subsidies that air travel gets vs rail is sad. It is also sad to think how many people would miss seeing their families or vacations they would not have if Amtrak was shut. The loss of jobs would be staggering. Just walk through Penn Station. All the Amtrak employees, Red Caps, Hot *** vendors, taxi cabs etc. - all gone.

There is a much bigger issue than Amtrak's bottom line.

I had the pleasure to take the Sunset Limited from Houston to El Paso TX and back. I was shocked to see the beauty of the El Paso station. I will be uploading some pics I took soon. The train was 2 hours late each way. But the staff was excellent.We tried to tip a baggage guy, he would not take it. My only complaint? We requested a chat with the conductor on train 2. Our car attendant called him several times. He never came. We wanted to voice our dissapointment that we were unable to secure dinner reservations due to the fact that the train was 2 hours late arriving to pick us up. Our car attendant Thomas was most helpful in geting our dinner served in our sleeping car. After waiting, we were ready to tell the conductor how helpful Thomas was. But we did not get to, as he never came. We heard him be called 3 times!

I don't fly on airplanes. My children love taking the train. It is truly an adventure. On my last trip ( which was during Spring break) I was SO HAPPY to see families taking the train with small children.

Taking the train may be a fond memory for them. Let's hope not.

Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :

yummykaz, I saw that hearing as well. I posted my comments under the Amtrak board here on the Railforum. Let me know what you think.

You are right about how some people can't fly, and I, too wish Warrington had said something. I have had discussions on AOL with an older gentleman whose wife couldn't fly because of health problems. A man who services some equipment at my workplace also can't fly. He doesn't have any serious health problems, but he recently had sinus surgery and he can't fly for five years because sudden changes in air pressure will cause problems.

And then there's people like my sister who just hates flying. As for me, I enjoy flying when the ride is smooth, but I don't like turbulence very well.

I think more people would ride the train if it was available. In fact, most people I meet tell me exactly that. Those who have ridden trains in Europe wonder why this country can't get its act together.

------------------
Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy

Posted by John Toth (Member # 20) on :

I am so glad to hear that some of you had similar reactions to mine related to the recent Amtrak hearings on C-Span. I actually found myself SHOUTING at the television !! Although I did not get the chance to hear Mr. Warrington give his speech (which I presume he did), I did get to hear the discussion between him and the committee members, and the staff from the General Accounting office.

I was bothered somewhat by Mr. Warrington's general "tone." He seemed almost apologetic and defeated. Did others of you get the same impression ? He has brought Amtrak a long way since his tenure began . Anyhow, he did not seem to VOICE strongly enough the many reasons why Amtrak is IN such sad state in the first place----that being under-funding and freight rail opposition. Did he make ANY mention of the funding levels for highways and airlines ? I don't know. He just generally seemed much too "defensive" for me.

And the title of the program (the Future of Amtrak) made me chuckle. Future ? WHAT future ? The first think Mr. Warrington should have said was that Amtrak HAS no future. I am afraid Amtrak's "death warrant" was signed, sealed, and delivered by Congress back (in 97 was it ? ) when it decided that Amtrak had to be profitable by 2003. And why no mention in the hearings about the fact that no place in the WORLD is passenger-rail profitable ?? Although I did catch Mr. Warrington's comment about the fact that even in its prime back during the 40's and 50's passenger-rail was never profitable.

What made sense the MOST to me was the conclusion by most everyone present at the hearings that a "summit" is necessary to actually debate what our country's VISION for passenger-rail really IS. Nobody seems to know. It has never been "vocalized" after all these years.

Then when the Rep. Olver from Kentucky started talking about the high-speed rail corridors and asking questions , why was no mention made of the CSX official from Florida who bluntly stated to a Congressional hearing that CSX wanted NO high-speed trains on its tracks ??

Also, was ANY mention made of the "mess" up in Maine with Gulliford stalling about initiating service between Boston and Portland ?

Lastly, I am curious about something. Does the NARP ever have an opportunity to speak at these Congressional hearings about Amtrak ?

My "two cents worth" for now.

Posted by yummykaz (Member # 475) on :

In answer to your question about if the CEO metioned air and road subsidies. I think he did, but it was the rep. from Minnisota ( I think!) Mr. Spafo , Spado something like that, that mentioned the other transportation subsidies.

But I felt sorry for the Amtrak CEO. Nothing like walking into a job that is doomed to failure! Too bad.

I wonder if there are cruise ship subsidies!?
Are there Greyhound bus subsidies!?

Amtrak could make a bunch more money if they offered:

Hard liquor ( I don't drink, but I know Airlines make bucks off liquor) Plus if they sold liquor one could have a drink or two and not have to drink and drive!

Movies for purchase.

Massages or manicures.

Cassinos/slot machines

Amtrak should have me consult for their long haul trips....I could help them!

Posted by Mr. Toy (Member # 311) on :

John,
To answer your question about Warrington's tone, as I saw it he did a great job in the first hour by demonstrating Amtrak's progress and improvements in management style. However, I think teh chairman, Harold Rogers used the lady from the GAO to wear Warrington down. Towads the end warrington was definitely weary of teh bean counting with no discussion of rail's potential. I think he was set up. Warrington had no back-up while the bean counters were armed for battle.

------------------
Trust God, love your neighbor, and never mistake opinion for truth.
-Mr. Toy

Posted by reggierail (Member # 26) on :

Well Yummykaz, Amtrak does indeed sell liquor on all trains with any food service available. They do make money on the liquor but lose money on every other aspect of food service. Reggie

------------------

Posted by Pete (Member # 591) on :

Subsidies.
Cruise ships profit from registering in foreign counries like Liberia and Panama where they're not subjected to US business taxes and labor laws.
Greyhounds "subsidized" by diesel fuel costs/taxes that go back into maintaining roads and freeways.
Railroads pay much the same fuel taxes for diesel fuel however have to maintain their own roads with no govt subsidies. They're basically paying some fuel tax to maintain pavement for cars/trucks/buses competing against them.

Posted by reggierail (Member # 26) on :

Good point Pete. Let's not forget about property taxes that the railroads pay for their right of way. The airlines & truckers don't pay property tax on the highways & airways. Reggie

------------------